Power supply with vehicle adapter and battery

ABSTRACT

A control circuit for controlling a supply of power to an external electronics module for controlling an implanted device of the user, the control circuit electrically coupled to a switching circuit for controlling an electrical connection between an external power source, a battery, and an external electronics module, the control circuit further electrically coupled to a sensor for sensing at least one from the group consisting of a voltage and a current received from the external power source, the control circuit being configured to control the switching circuit to electrically disconnect the external electronics module from the external power source and electrically connect the external electronics module to the battery in response to a sensed fluctuation of at least one from the group consisting of voltage and current and electrically connect the external electronics module to the external power source and electrically disconnect the external electronics module from the battery when the fluctuation is not sensed.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

This application is a continuation of patent application Ser. No.15/441,567, filed Feb. 24, 2017 and is related to and claims priority toU.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 62/299,747, filed Feb. 25,2016, entitled POWER SUPPLY WITH VEHICLE ADAPTER AND BATTERY, theentirety of which is incorporated herein by reference.

STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT

n/a

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present invention relates to methods and devices for managing powersupply to an implanted device, such as an implanted blood pump.

BACKGROUND

Transcutaneous energy transfer (TET) systems and percutaneous connectorsmay be used to supply power to devices such as heart pumps implantedinternally within a human body. In the case of TET systems, anelectromagnetic field generated by a transmitting coil outside the bodycan transmit power across a cutaneous (skin) barrier to a magneticreceiving coil implanted within the body. The receiving coil can thentransfer the received power to the implanted device and to one or morebatteries implanted within the body to charge the battery. In the caseof percutaneous connection, an external power source may have a hardwire link, through a percutaneous connector, to supply power to animplantable electrical device.

These systems typically include an external electronics module whichsupplies power through a wireless or percutaneous connection. Theexternal electronics module typically includes a battery and aconnection to an external power source. External power sources mayinclude, by way of example, an AC electrical outlet in a building or DCelectrical outlet in a vehicle.

Some external power sources are subject to spikes, disruptions, or otherchanges, that adversely affect the systems' ability to effectively orefficiently power the implanted device. For example, in the case of avehicle outlet, during normal operation of the vehicle, the implanteddevice may be powered via the vehicle's electrical outlet. However, insome vehicles, turning off the vehicle cuts power to the outlet, whereasin other vehicles power is always supplied to the outlet. Therefore, fora user whose device is plugged in to a vehicle outlet, it is notnecessarily readily known to the user whether the device remains chargedfrom the vehicle outlet when the vehicle is turned off. It is thereforedesirable that the system be capable of notifying the user when power isor is not being supplied from the external power source. In manysystems, the external electronics of the system is configured to issue ahuman-perceptible alert when the external power source is notelectrically connected to the system. The alert may notify or otherwiseremind the user that the implanted device is being powered by thebattery, and that the user should make a connection to an external powersource.

However, in some circumstances, the alert may be a nuisance orinconvenience to the user. For example, in many vehicles, power to theelectrical outlet may be briefly interrupted or reduced when thevehicle's engine is started. In such a case, the user may be pluggedinto the vehicle outlet, but the brief disruption or fluctuation ofpower may be sufficient to trigger the alert, even though the device iselectrically connected to an external power source. Such alerts due tobrief disruptions or fluctuations in power supply may be an annoyancefor the user.

SUMMARY

In one embodiment of the application, a control circuit for controllinga supply of power to an external electronics module mountable to a userfor controlling an implanted device of the user, the control circuitelectrically coupled to a switching circuit for controlling anelectrical connection between an external power source, a battery, andan external electronics module, the control circuit further electricallycoupled to a sensor for sensing at least one from the group consistingof a voltage and a current received from the external power source, thecontrol circuit being configured to control the switching circuit toelectrically disconnect the external electronics module from theexternal power source and electrically connect the external electronicsmodule to the battery in response to a sensed fluctuation of at leastone from the group consisting of voltage and current and electricallyconnect the external electronics module to the external power source andelectrically disconnect the external electronics module from the batterywhen the fluctuation is not sensed.

In another aspect of this embodiment, the sensed fluctuation of at leastone from the group consisting of the measured voltage and current is atleast one from the group consisting of from the group consisting of:above a threshold maximum; being below a threshold minimum; increasingmore than a threshold percentage, and decreasing more than a thresholdpercentage.

In another aspect of this embodiment, the external power source is a12-volt vehicle battery, and wherein the sensed fluctuation is themeasured voltage being below 9 volts.

In another aspect of this embodiment, the control circuit is configuredto control the switching circuit to temporarily electrically disconnectthe external electronics module from the external power source andtemporarily electrically connect the external electronics module to thebattery for a predetermined amount of time.

In another aspect of this embodiment, the control circuit is configuredto control the switching circuit to electrically disconnect the externalelectronics module from the external power source and electricallyconnect the external electronics module to the battery until the controlcircuit determines to control the switching circuit to electricallyconnect the external electronics module to the external power sourcebased on a subsequent measurement of the at least one from the groupconsisting of voltage and current received from the external powersource.

In another embodiment, an apparatus for adapting power from an outlet ofa vehicle includes a control circuit for controlling the supply of powerto an external electronics module mountable to a user for controlling animplanted device of the user, the control circuit electrically coupledto a switching circuit for controlling an electrical connection betweenan external power source, a battery, and an external electronics module,the control circuit further electrically coupled to a sensor for sensingat least one from the group consisting of a voltage and a currentreceived from the external power source, the control circuit beingconfigured to control the switching circuit to: electrically disconnectthe external electronics module from the external power source andelectrically connect the external electronics module to the battery inresponse to a sensed fluctuation of the sensed at least one from thegroup consisting of voltage and current and electrically connect theexternal electronics module to the external power source andelectrically disconnect the external electronics module from the batterywhen the fluctuation is not sensed. The apparatus is electricallycoupled between the external power source and an external electronicsmodule.

In another aspect of this embodiment, the battery, switching circuit,and control circuit are contained in a common housing.

In another aspect of this embodiment, the apparatus further includes anadapter for at least one from the group consisting of increasing anddecreasing a voltage and current received from the outlet to a desiredlevel.

In another aspect of this embodiment, the battery is rechargeable andelectrically coupled to the adapter, the battery being charged by theoutlet when the battery is not electrically connected to the externalelectronics module.

In another aspect of this embodiment, the adapter, battery, switchingcircuit and control circuit are contained in a common housing.

In another aspect of this embodiment, the apparatus is adapted toprovide an electrical connection to a vehicle battery through a vehicleoutlet.

In yet another embodiment, a system for controlling the supply of powerto an implanted device includes an apparatus including a control circuitfor controlling the supply of power to an external electronics modulemountable to a user for controlling an implanted device of the user, thecontrol circuit electrically coupled to a switching circuit forcontrolling an electrical connection between an external power source, abattery, and an external electronics module, the control circuit furtherelectrically coupled to a sensor for sensing at least one from the groupconsisting of a voltage and a current received from the external powersource, the control circuit being configured to control the switchingcircuit to: electrically disconnect the external electronics module fromthe external power source and electrically connect the externalelectronics module to the battery in response to a sensed fluctuation ofthe sensed at least one from the group consisting of voltage and currentand electrically connect the external electronics module to the externalpower source and electrically disconnect the external electronics modulefrom the battery when the fluctuation is not sensed. The apparatus iselectrically coupled between the external power source and an externalelectronics module. An external electronics module is electricallycoupled to the apparatus and mountable to a user of the implanteddevice. The external module includes an external electronics modulecontroller for determining whether an amount of at least one from thegroup consisting of current and voltage received from the module issufficient to power the implanted device. A second battery is included.A switch for switching between providing power from the apparatus to theimplanted device and providing power from the second battery to theimplanted device in response to the determination of the externalelectronics module controller is included. An alert module for notifyingthe user when power is provided from the second battery is included.

In another aspect of this embodiment, the battery is adapted to providethe amount of at least one from the group consisting of current andvoltage sufficient to power the implanted device, and when the batteryis providing power from the apparatus to the external electronicsmodule, the switch provides power from the apparatus to the implanteddevice.

In yet another embodiment, a method of controlling the supply of powerto an external module mountable to a user of an implanted device, theexternal module providing power to the implanted device, includes, at acontrol circuit, detecting a fluctuation in the level of power providedfrom an external power supply. In response to the detection, the controlcircuit controlling a switching circuit to electrically disconnect theexternal module from the external power source and electrically connectthe external module to a battery coupled to the switching circuit inresponse to a detected fluctuation. When no fluctuation is detected, theexternal module is electrically connected to the external power source.

In another aspect of this embodiment, detecting a fluctuation includesdetecting the power provided from the external power supply at least onefrom the group consisting of the group consisting of: exceeding athreshold maximum, dropping below a threshold minimum, and increasing ordecreasing by more than a threshold percentage.

In another aspect of this embodiment, the switching circuit iscontrolled to electrically disconnect the external module from theexternal power source for a predetermined amount of time, and thecontrol circuit determines whether there is a fluctuation remains afterthe predetermined amount of time.

In another aspect of this embodiment, the method further includes at thecontrol circuit, determining that power is being provided from theexternal power source and that the fluctuation has cleared, and inresponse, controlling the switching circuit to electrically connect theimplanted electrical device to the external power source.

In yet another embodiment, a method of controlling issuance of alertindicating disconnection of an external power source from an implantedmedical device includes detecting a disruption of power being providedfrom the external power source. A switching circuit is controlled toelectrically disconnect the implanted medical device from the implanteddevice and electrically connect a backup power source to the implantedmedical device, the backup power source has an amount of chargesufficient to power the implanted device for less than between fiveseconds. In the event of a disruption of power longer than the amount ofcharge to power the implanted device, the disruption of power results inissuance of the alert, and in the event of a disruption of power shorterthan the five seconds, the backup power source prevents the alert fromissuing.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

A more complete understanding of the present invention, and theattendant advantages and features thereof, will be more readilyunderstood by reference to the following detailed description whenconsidered in conjunction with the accompanying drawings wherein:

FIG. 1 is a functional diagram of a system in accordance with an aspectof the present disclosure;

FIG. 2 is a functional diagram of an example adapter module of thesystem of FIG. 1 in accordance with an aspect of the disclosure;

FIG. 3 is a flow diagram of an example method in accordance with anaspect of the disclosure; and

FIG. 4 is another flow diagram of an example method in accordance withan aspect of the disclosure.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The present disclosure provides for a device and method that yields arelatively steady supply of power without the spikes or fluctuationscommonly associated with external power supply systems, such that theabove described false or nuisance alerts are avoided.

FIG. 1 schematically illustrates an example system 100 including bothexternal electronics 120 mounted outside the body of a human or animalpatient 104, as well as internal or implanted electronics 150 mountedwithin the body of the patient 104. The example system of FIG. 1 is aTET system, although the present disclosure is similarly applicable toother systems providing power transfer via a percutaneous connection.The external electronics 120 are electrically coupled to one or morepower sources, including, for example, a battery 125 associated with theexternal electronics 120, and an external power source 112 (such as ACpower from a building, or DC power from a car battery). The externalelectronics 120 are also electrically coupled to an external primarycoil 130, and the implanted electronics 150 are electrically coupled toan internal or implanted secondary coil 140. The external and implantedcoils 130 and 140 are inductively coupled to one another through anelectromagnetic field in order to transfer energy wirelesslytherebetween.

Based on instructions from the controller 122, the power sourceselection circuitry 126 outputs power from one of the battery andexternal power source to an input of drive circuit 128. The drivecircuit 128 amplifies the output power. The amplified power is thenprovided to the external coil 130. The external coil 130 is coupled toadditional circuitry such as one or more capacitors 135 that form aresonant circuit with the external coil 130. The external coil 130generates an electromagnetic field which inductively couples to theimplanted coil 140 at the resonant frequency of the tuned resonantcircuits.

In the example of FIG. 1, the external coil 130 is housed in a commonexternal module 110 together with the external electronics 120, whereasthe implanted coil 140 and implanted electronics 150 are not housedtogether. The external electronics 120 may further include controlcircuitry 122 for determining and executing instructions for controllingthe drive circuitry in order, as well as a power source determinationcircuit 129 for determining a source of power for driving the externalcoil 130, to control the wireless transfer of energy between theexternal and implanted coils. The control circuitry 120 may include amicrocontroller capable of setting the pulse width and/or frequency oftransmission, controlling selection of the power source, driving theexternal coil 130, etc. Determinations made by the control circuitry 122may be based on signals received from telemetry circuitry, from externalsensors 115, and/or from inputs provided at a user interface of theexternal module 110. In response to the source determination circuit 129determining that the current source of power is the battery 125, theexternal electronics may output an alert notifying the user of thedevice that the device is not electrically connected to an externalpower supply (e.g., source 112).

The implanted electronics 150 are electrically coupled to an implantedbattery 155 and to the implanted electrical device 102. Energy receivedat the implanted coil 140 is stored in the implanted battery 155,provided to the implanted medical device 102, or both, via the implantedelectronics 150. Additionally, energy stored at the implanted batterymay be provided to the implanted electrical device 102 via the implantedelectronics 150. The implanted electronics 150 may also be electricallycoupled to internal sensing devices 165.

The implanted electronics 150 convert AC power generated at theimplanted coil 140 to DC power, adjust the voltage level of theconverted DC power (or power from the implanted battery 155) and providethe adjusted power to the implanted device 102. The implantedelectronics 150 may further control an efficiency of the inductivecoupling between the external and implanted coils 130 and 140, such asby instructing an adjustment in the resonant frequency of resonantcircuit components 145 in the implanted coil 140. As with the externalcircuitry 120, such determinations at the implanted circuitry may bebased on RF telemetry signals as well information received from theinternal sensors 165.

In the example of FIG. 1, the external electronics 120 are connected toan external power source 112. In the case of a car battery or otherpower source subject to fluctuations, it may be preferable to include apower adapter 220 between the external power source and externalelectronics. FIG. 2 schematically illustrates an example adapter 220.The adapter of FIG. 2 includes an adapter 224, as well as othercircuitry, and is therefore referred to comprehensively as a vehicleadapter module 220, although it could be a module for adapting powerfrom sources other than in vehicles. The vehicle adapter module 220includes an adapter 224, as well as a control circuit 222, battery 225,and power source switching circuit 226. The components of the vehicleadapter module 220 may be contained in a common housing. The vehicleadapter module 220 may electrically interface (e.g., plug into, beplugged into, or otherwise electrically connect to) a vehicle poweroutlet 212 and an external module 230 for powering an implanted medicaldevice.

In the example of FIG. 2, the adapter 224 may be a buck-boost converterconfigured to receive electrical power from the vehicle power outlet212, and to convert the received power to a desired power level (e.g.,desired DC voltage). The desired power level may depend on theparticular implanted device being powered by the external module 230.

The battery 225 may store an amount of charge sufficient to damp anyfluctuations of power from the outlet 212. In some cases, this may beenough to power the implanted device for a few seconds, for example, 3to 5 seconds, until power from the outlet returns to its normal state.In other cases, the battery 225 may store charge sufficient to power theimplanted device for more than just a few seconds (e.g., about an hour).For instance, if the external electronics 120 are plugged into theadapter port of a vehicle, and the adapter port only supplies power whenthe vehicle is turned on, then the battery 225 may be relied on to powerthe implanted device from the time the adapter is plugged into the portuntil the vehicle is turned on.

The battery 225 may be a rechargeable battery. The adapter 224 mayprovide for at least a portion of the power from the outlet 212 to beprovided to the battery 225. Thus, when power is being received from theoutlet, the battery may be recharged by the power received from theoutlet 212. The control circuit 222 is operable to receive a measurementof power being received from the vehicle power outlet 212. Themeasurement may, for instance, be one of a current or voltage sensed atthe adapter 224. If there is a change in the measured voltage or current(e.g., exceeding a threshold maximum, going below a threshold minimum,increasing or decreasing by more than a threshold percentage), thecontrol circuit 222 may determine the presence of a power fluctuationfrom the outlet 212. For instance, in the case of a 12-volt vehiclebattery, the control circuit may react to a sensed voltage below about 9volts. In response, the control circuit may instruct the switchingcircuit 226 to electrically disconnect the external module 230 from theoutlet 212 and instead electrically connect the external module 230 tothe battery 225.

In some cases, the control circuit 222 may instruct the switchingcircuit 226 to temporarily switch from the outlet 212 to the battery 225for a predetermined amount of time, after which the switching circuit226 may switch back to the outlet 212. Alternatively, the controlcircuit 222 may instruct the switching circuit 226 to switchindefinitely (e.g., until instructed to switch back to the outlet). Ineither case, the control circuit 222 may continue to monitor currentand/or voltage at the adaptor, and if the current and/or voltage isdetermined to not have fluctuations, the switching circuit 226 mayresume electrically connecting the outlet 212 to the external module230. In some cases, this may involve the control circuit 222 notproviding any instruction to the switching circuit 226, such that afterthe predetermined amount of time, the switching circuit 226 reverts toelectrically connecting the outlet 212 and external module 225.Alternatively, where the switching circuit 226 was previously instructedto switch electrical connections indefinitely, the control circuit 222may instruct the switching circuit to switch back to electricallyconnecting the outlet 212 and external module 225

Switching to battery 225 power may provide a temporary charge until thebattery 225 is depleted. Although the battery may deplete relativelyquickly (as compared to the battery 125 associated with the externalelectronics 130), the power stored therein may be enough to suppress anydetection of a change in power source by the power source detectioncircuit 129, since the power from the battery 225 will appear to thepower source detection circuit 129 to be power from an external source.Thus, in cases of brief fluctuations in power, the battery may preventthe triggering on an unnecessary alert by the external electronics 130,but in the event of a longer outage (e.g., indicative that the device isdisconnected from the vehicle power), the battery 225 will deplete andthe power source detection circuit 129 will trigger the desired alert.

FIG. 3 is a flowchart depicting an example routine 300 for controllingthe supply of power to an implanted device. The example routine may beparticularly beneficial for managing power supply during temporaryspikes or dips in the external power supply in accordance with the abovedisclosure. Routine 300 may begin at 310, in which a control circuitdetermines whether steady voltage is or is not being supplied from anexternal power source to the implanted device. If an irregularity (e.g.,dip, spike) in voltage from the external power source is detected, itmay be determined that steady voltage is not being supplied, in whichcase the routine 300 may proceed to 320 and the implanted device ispowered from a battery instead of from the external power supply for apredetermined amount of time. The battery may help to damp theirregularities (e.g., dips, spikes) in the external power supply. If noirregularity is detected, then it may be determined that steady voltageis being supplied, in which case the routine 300 may proceed to 330 withthe implanted device being charged from the external power supply.

The above described routine may be repeatedly performed by the controlcircuit. The control circuit may be configured to repeat the processafter the predetermined amount of time (wait 340). Thus, if the externalpower source experiences a momentary spike or dip in power, the controlcircuit may temporarily proceed to 320 with charging from the batteryfor the predetermined amount of time, and then switch back charging fromthe external power source at 330. Thus, the control circuit may reduceor even minimize battery usage in situations where the external powersupply is available to provide power to the implanted device. In turn,minimizing battery usage allows for the battery used in the routine 300to be relatively small, as compared to a battery for powering animplanted device for an extended duration of time.

FIG. 4 is a flowchart depicting another example of a routine 400 forcontrolling power supply. At 410, the implanted device is powered fromthe external power source. At 420, the control circuit determineswhether there is an interruption in the supply of power from theexternal power source (e.g., a sensed voltage being below apredetermined threshold). If there is no interruption, the routine 400reverts to 410, thereby continuing to provide power from the externalpower source. If there is an interruption, then at 430, power supply isswitched to the battery such that the implanted device is powered fromthe battery. At 440, the control circuit determines whether there is aresumption of power being supplied from the external power source, inwhich case operations would continue at 410 with power being providedfrom external power source. The determination at 440 may beautomatically triggered by reestablishing an electrical connection withthe external power source. If no power is being provided from theexternal power source, operations may remain at 430 with power beingsupplied by the battery.

As with the routine of FIG. 3, the routine 400 of FIG. 4 may berepeatedly performed, such that the control circuit repeatedlydetermines to switch, and instructs a switching device to switch,between external power and battery power as the external power source isconnected and disconnected. Thus, in a case where a user plugs in theadapter to a vehicle outlet before turning on the vehicle, the controlcircuit may determine to provide battery power until the vehicle isturned on. Also, in a case where the vehicle is turned on and the userrepeatedly attempts to start a vehicle's engine, the control circuit mayrepeatedly switch between battery power (during start attempts) andvehicle power (between start attempts).

The examples of FIGS. 3 and 4 have been described generally in terms ofconnection to an implanted device. As shown in FIG. 2, the electricalconnection controlled by the control circuit may be more specifically anelectrical connection to an external module of an implanted device.

In addition to the routines of FIGS. 3 and 4, the control circuit 222 ofthe adapter module 220 may also prevent the external electronics 130from triggering an alert by providing a notification to the externalelectronics indicating that the implanted device is still electricallyconnected to the external power source even though sufficient power istemporarily disrupted. The control circuit 222 may determine that theexternal power source 112 is still connected based on a detection of apin connection and/or a minimal amount of voltage or current (even ifnot enough to power the device or charge the battery) 225 being sensedat the adapter 224. Based on this determination, the control circuit 222instructs the external electronics 130 to override providing an alert,so the user is not inconvenienced. Such a notification may be beneficialin situations where the temporary disruption of power lasts longer thannormal (e.g., attempted car start on cold day) and the adapter modulebattery 225 is depleted during the duration of the disruption.

Although the invention herein has been described with reference toparticular embodiments, it is to be understood that these embodimentsare merely illustrative of the principles and applications of thepresent invention. It is therefore to be understood that numerousmodifications may be made to the illustrative embodiments and that otherarrangements may be devised without departing from the spirit and scopeof the present invention as defined by the appended paragraphs.

What is claimed is:
 1. A control circuit for controlling a supply ofpower to an external electronics module mountable to a user forcontrolling an implanted device of the user, the control circuitelectrically coupled to a switching circuit for controlling anelectrical connection between an external power source, a battery, andan external electronics module, the control circuit further electricallycoupled to a sensor for sensing at least one from the group consistingof a voltage and a current received from the external power source, thecontrol circuit being configured to control the switching circuit to:electrically disconnect the external electronics module from theexternal power source, and electrically connect the external electronicsmodule to the battery in response to a sensed fluctuation of the sensedat least one from the group consisting of voltage and current, theexternal electronics module including an alert module configured toissue and alert to the user when the external electronics module is notelectrically connected to the external power source, the externalelectronics module being connected to an adapter including a buck-boostconverter, a controller, a switching circuit and a second battery whichstores an amount of charge sufficient to damp fluctuations of the powerfrom the outlet, the controller comparing a voltage from the back-boostconverter coupled with the external power source and when its determinedto not have fluctuations, the switching circuit resumes electricallyconnecting the external power module.
 2. The control circuit of claim 1,wherein the sensed fluctuation of at least one from the group consistingof the measured voltage and current is at least one from the groupconsisting of: above a threshold maximum; being below a thresholdminimum; increasing more than a threshold percentage; and decreasingmore than a threshold percentage.
 3. The control circuit of claim 2,wherein the external power source is a 12-volt vehicle battery, andwherein the sensed fluctuation is the measured voltage being below 9volts.
 4. The control circuit of claim 1, wherein the control circuit isconfigured to control the switching circuit to temporarily electricallydisconnect the external electronics module from the external powersource and temporarily electrically connect the external electronicsmodule to the battery for a predetermined amount of time.
 5. The controlcircuit of claim 1, wherein the control circuit is configured to controlthe switching circuit to electrically disconnect the externalelectronics module from the external power source and electricallyconnect the external electronics module to the battery until the controlcircuit determines to control the switching circuit to electricallyconnect the external electronics module to the external power sourcebased on a subsequent measurement of the at least one from the groupconsisting of voltage and current received from the external powersource.
 6. An apparatus for adapting power from an outlet of a vehicle,the apparatus comprising: a control circuit for controlling the supplyof power to an external electronics module mountable to a user forcontrolling an implanted device of the user, the control circuitelectrically coupled to a switching circuit for controlling anelectrical connection between an external power source, a battery, andan external electronics module, the control circuit further electricallycoupled to a sensor for sensing at least one from the group consistingof a voltage and a current received from the external power source, thecontrol circuit being configured to control the switching circuit to:electrically disconnect the external electronics module from theexternal power source and electrically connect the external electronicsmodule to the battery in response to a sensed fluctuation of the sensedat least one from the group consisting of voltage and current, theexternal electronics module including an alert module configured toissue at least one of an audible and visual alert to the user when theexternal electronics module is not electrically connected to theexternal power source, the external electronics module being connectedto an adapter including a buck-boost converter, a controller, aswitching circuit and a battery which stores an amount of chargesufficient to damp fluctuations of the power from the outlet; thecontroller comparing a voltage from the back-boost converter coupledwith the external power source with a second battery located within theadapter, and when its determined to not have fluctuations, the switchingcircuit resumes electrically connecting the external power module; andelectrically connect the external electronics module to the externalpower source and electrically disconnect the external electronics modulefrom the battery when the fluctuation is not sensed, the control circuitbeing configured to deactivate the alert module when the control circuitdetects that power is being provided from the external power source. 7.The apparatus of claim 6, further comprising an adapter for at least onefrom the group consisting of increasing and decreasing a voltage andcurrent received from the outlet to a desired level.
 8. The apparatus ofclaim 7, wherein the battery is rechargeable and electrically coupled tothe adapter, the battery being charged by the outlet when the battery isnot electrically connected to the external electronics module.
 9. Theapparatus of claim 8, wherein the adapter, the battery, a secondbattery, the switching circuit and the control circuit are contained ina common housing.
 10. The apparatus of claim 6, wherein the apparatus isadapted to provide an electrical connection to a vehicle battery througha vehicle outlet.
 11. A system for controlling a supply of power to animplanted device, the system comprising: an apparatus including: acontrol circuit for controlling the supply of power to an externalelectronics module mountable to a user for controlling an implanteddevice of the user, the control circuit electrically coupled to aswitching circuit for controlling an electrical connection between anexternal power source, a battery, and an external electronics module,the control circuit further electrically coupled to a sensor for sensingat least one from the group consisting of a voltage and a currentreceived from the external power source, the control circuit beingconfigured to control the switching circuit to: electrically disconnectthe external electronics module from the external power source andelectrically connect the external electronics module to the battery inresponse to a sensed fluctuation of at least one from the groupconsisting of voltage and current, the external electronics module beingconnected to an adapter including a buck-boost converter, a controller,a switching circuit and a battery which stores an amount of chargesufficient to damp fluctuations of the power from the outlet; thecontroller comparing a voltage from the back-boost converter coupledwith the external power source with battery located within the adapter,and when its determined to not have fluctuations, the switching circuitresumes electrically connecting the external power module; electricallyconnect the external electronics module to the external power source andelectrically disconnect the external electronics module from the batterywhen the fluctuation is not sensed; and the apparatus being electricallycoupled between the external power source and an external electronicsmodule; the control circuit, the switching circuit, the battery, theexternal electronics module, and the sensor are contained in a commonhousing carriable by the user, a switch for switching between providingpower from the apparatus to the implanted device and providing powerfrom the battery to the implanted device, in response to thedetermination of the external electronics module controller; and analert module configured to issue at least one of an audible and visualalert to the user when the external electronics module is notelectrically connected to the external power source, the control circuitof the apparatus being configured to deactivate the alert module whenthe control circuit detects that power is being provided from theexternal power source.
 12. A method of controlling the supply of powerto an external electronics module mountable to a user of an implanteddevice, the external electronics module providing power to the implanteddevice, the method comprising: at a control circuit, detecting afluctuation in the level of power provided from an external powersource; and in response to the detection, the control circuitcontrolling a switching circuit to electrically disconnect the externalelectronics module from the external power source and electricallyconnect the external electronics module to a battery coupled to theswitching circuit in response to a detected fluctuation; the externalelectronics module being connected to an adapter including a buck-boostconverter, a controller, a switching circuit and a battery which storesan amount of charge sufficient to damp fluctuations of the power fromthe outlet; the controller comparing a voltage from the back-boostconverter coupled with the external power source with battery locatedwithin the adapter, and when its determined to not have fluctuations,the switching circuit resumes electrically connecting the external powermodule.
 13. The method of claim 12, wherein detecting a fluctuationincludes detecting the power provided from the external power sourcefrom at least one from the group consisting of: exceeding a thresholdmaximum, dropping below a threshold minimum, and increasing ordecreasing by more than a threshold percentage.
 14. The method of claim12, wherein the switching circuit is controlled to electricallydisconnect the external electronics module from the external powersource for a predetermined amount of time, and the control circuitdetermines whether there is a fluctuation remains after thepredetermined amount of time.
 15. The method of claim 12, furtherincluding, at the control circuit, determining that power is beingprovided from the external power source and that the fluctuation hascleared, and in response, controlling the switching circuit toelectrically connect the implanted device to the external power source.